CHICAGO (AP) - The leader of Illinois’ child welfare agency says the number of youths in residential treatment facilities for over a year is less than half what it was last spring.
Department of Children and Family Services Director George Sheldon wrote an editorial for Wednesday’s State Journal-Register (https://bit.ly/1M7u4PZ) saying there were 566 juveniles who’d been in such state-regulated facilities for over 12 months. His office says 309 were moved.
Sheldon says the centers are meant to stabilize troubled children, not used as long-term residences. He says the youths are now in safer, less-restrictive and more cost-effective settings.
The move follows a Chicago Tribune investigation and hearings over poor conditions and oversight in such centers. DCFS is under a consent decree to improve care.
Sheldon says DCFS plans to work more with other agencies.
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